Matthew 2: 1-9
by Rev. Carson Overstreet
Van Wyck Presbyterian Church
December 23, 2018
Fourth Sunday of Advent
This Advent we are looking at the bit parts of the biblical Christmas story. If you are just joining us, a bit part is a seemingly minor role which has direct interaction with the lead actors and has just a few speaking lines. However, each of the bit parts in the biblical Christmas story are silent. And yet each one adds something pivotal to the anticipation of the Christ Child.
We have been gleaning a new perspective of the nativity scene from Luke’s Gospel the past three weeks with Joseph, the Inn, and the Manger. But today the Gospel of Matthew reveals how the bit part of the star leads the way to baby Jesus.
Hear Matthew tell it in Matthew 2: 1-10…
In the time of King Herod, after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, asking, ‘Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage.’
When King Herod heard this, he was frightened, and all Jerusalem with him; and calling together all the chief priests and scribes of the people, he inquired of them where the Messiah was to be born. They told him, ‘In Bethlehem of Judea; for so it has been written by the prophet:
“And you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah,
are by no means least among the rulers of Judah;
for from you shall come a ruler
who is to shepherd my people Israel.” ’
Then Herod secretly called for the wise men and learned from them the exact time when the star had appeared. Then he sent them to Bethlehem, saying, ‘Go and search diligently for the child; and when you have found him, bring me word so that I may also go and pay him homage.’
When they had heard the king, they set out; and there, ahead of them, went the star that they had seen at its rising, until it stopped over the place where the child was. When they saw that the star had stopped, they were overwhelmed with joy.
The light of the star was so very captivating. It created a prophetic moment; the hopes and fears of all humanity’s years are met in Christ’s birth on that Christmas night.
For King Herod the star shined like a GPS locator. It pointed the way to his biggest fear – a political threat – a new King…and not just any king, but The King of the Jews. God’s kingdom was breaking in and creating havoc on Herod, Rome’s client king.
But for the magi the star met them with a new hope. The star appeared like a blessing. It peaked their curiosity and searching for meaning and purpose in life. The star invited the magi to come closer; it wanted to show them more of what God had done. And so, they set out on an unfamiliar road, fully depending upon the star to lead the way to baby Jesus over the course of many nights.
The hearers of Matthew’s Gospel knew the story of God’s people. They knew what it was like to walk along the unfamiliar roads of faith. Generations of past spiritual ancestors had lots of practice walking in the dark. God’s people stumbled upon many obstacles making it hard to walk in God’s faithfulness. And many of those obstacles were of the people’s own making. Humanity cannot steer clear from the dark condition of sin.
For the hearers of Matthew’s Gospel, the star was no bit part. You see the star had a prophetic role of not only announcing the arrival of the King of the Jews. But also, the star had a prophetic role in recalling the memory of God’s steadfast love. And God’s love always leads the way home.
The star recalled God’s promise to Abraham of being chosen out of God’s deep and abiding love to fulfill God’s purposes. Love promised God’s dreams to be accomplished through Abraham; kings would come through him, as well as an eternal inheritance to all future generations. All generations including ours would be as numerous as the stars (Genesis 17: 6-8; 15:5).
The star recalled God’s encouraging words to Moses when the steps got really hard in leading God’s people from slavery into the promise of God’s freedom:
You shall fear the Lord your God; him alone you shall worship; to him you shall hold fast, and by his name you shall swear. The Lord is your praise, for he is your God, who has done for you great and awesome things that your own eyes have seen. Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons; and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars (Deuteronomy 10: 20-22).
The star recalled God is always good on his promises for the prophecy is fulfilled:
For the people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness – on them light has shined…A child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests on his shoulders and he is named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. His authority shall grow continually and there shall be endless peace for the throne of David and his kingdom (Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7).
The star recalled the name of this Holy Child, “Jesus,” means he will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). For Matthew Jesus was the new Moses, fully delivering God’s people from the slavery of sin into the God’s promises of new life.
And today the fullness of the Christmas story surrounds us through the bit parts.
Joseph inspires us to remember that when uncertainty clouds the way forward there is hope. We can take heart, remembering that God is with us and God will deliver us when everything seems to be hanging in the balance.
The Inn, or as we learned it is better translated, “Guestroom” inspires us to remember God’s radical hospitality meets us where we are, gives us a place of belonging and connection, and provides what we need.
The Manger cradles the JOY of God’s promise of new life for humanity. It brings good news of JOY because God’s holiness abides in the unholiness of humanity. When the wrong in the world seems oft so strong, God is at work to reorder and redeem God’s people.
And today the star is shining.
For some of us the star is shining upon a road that feels quite unfamiliar. Questions cloud the background wondering if love is enough to bind strained relationships and mend broken hearts. Grief has made its grand entrance and steals the joy that was once the centerpiece of the season. Decisions need to be made but the direction is still unclear.
Whatever may be threatening your faith today, may the light of God’s love in Emmanuel shine in your darkness when you feel most alone. Trust that God’s love will see you through.
For others the star is shining into curiosity and searching. The culture’s narrative of self-reliance isn’t holding true; there is a slight tapping on the shoulder of our faith that we cannot walk the journey of life all alone. Could kindling or even rekindling the faith be the answer to the MORE we are searching for? A recent situation opened your eyes to see what really matters in life and you are searching for a faithful way of re-prioritizing your days. An ending has brought about a possible new beginning and your soul is curious to discover a new purpose in life.
Whatever you may be searching for today, may the star illumine a new window to reveal the mystery of God’s love and will for your life.
The bit part of the star illumines the truth of God’s love that in Jesus’ nativity we find ours. Through the Christ Child we too are God’s beloved children. We are chosen out of a divine love that will never let us go. We are blessed to be a blessing to others through a life of purpose and meaning. Christ is the MORE we are searching for that connects us to God, one another, and God’s “already here but not fully yet” kingdom.
Just this week I was listening to John Denver’s voice all over again. And suddenly nostalgia gave way to new meaning as I listened to a particular song that I never gave much thought to. It’s entitled, “Perhaps Love.” And the Spirit seemed to knit John Denver’s words through today’s sermon and so I share them with you:
Perhaps love is like a resting place, a shelter from the storm
It exists to give you comfort, it is there to keep you warm
And in those times of trouble when you are most alone
The memory of love will bring you home
Perhaps love is like a window, perhaps an open door
It invites you to come closer, it wants to show you more
And even if you lose yourself and don't know what to do
The memory of love will see you through
Oh, love to some is like a cloud, to some as strong as steel
For some a way of living, for some a way to feel
And some say love is holding on and some say letting go
And some say love is everything and some say they don't know..
Perhaps love is like the ocean, full of conflict, full of pain
Like a fire when it's cold outside or thunder when it rains.
If I should live forever and all my dreams come true, my memories of love will be of you.
May faith’s memory of God’s love be with you this Christmas.
In the name of God our Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer. Amen.
Sources Referenced:
"The Nativity," by Rev. Carson Overstreet
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